Women and girls boost Aussie cricket numbers
Cricket participation has experienced strong growth in Australia with both females and males, according to figures released in their 2017-18 National Cricket Census.
One of the key highlights of the census revealed that 30 percent of Aussie cricket’s participant base are females, translating to six in every 10 new participants
This participation increase is one of the highest year-on-year growth figures Cricket Australia (CA) has experienced. The census also revealed a record breaking 1,558,821 Australians have actively engaged in cricket competitions or programs – an increase on 9 percent from the previous year.
This includes 854,951 participants engaging in cricket programs in schools and 703,870 players engaging in regular competitions or club-based programs at junior and senior level.
The increase in participants reinforces the importance of last week’s funding commitment. In partnership with CA, the state and territory associations, announced investing $35 million over the next three years to significantly grow and support community cricket.
The substantial injection of money is aimed at improving the facilities and cricketing experience for players, coaches and volunteers across the country in order to grow sustainable competitions for players.
Speaking on the results, CA’s Chief Executive Officer, James Sutherland, said:
“We are thrilled to see the number of Australians playing cricket continue to grow year-on-year. To have more than 1.5 million Australians participating in cricket last season is a fantastic result, highlighting the passion Australians have for cricket,” he said.
“We are pleased with the uptake of young children experiencing cricket through programs specifically designed for schools. More than 850,000 young Australians participated in these programs in 2017-18 – these entry level numbers are outstanding, and we hope the programs help instil a love of the game that will see them continue to play and enjoy their cricket. We are working hard with the community to ensure this interest and enthusiasm is transferred to regular playing opportunities.
“We have more women and girls playing cricket than ever before, and The Growing Cricket for Girls Fund, with support from Commonwealth Bank, has been an overwhelming success and a program we will continue to invest heavily in.
“We are particularly pleased with 619 new junior girl’s teams creating opportunities for the next Meg Lanning or Ellyse Perry to learn the game.
“The participation growth is a fitting reflection on the hard work put in by so many around the country. Our clubs, associations and schools, our dedicated volunteers, coaches and umpires all make an invaluable contribution in ensuring the quality of the experience for those that pick up a bat and ball each season.
“Our coaching ranks have also increased substantially, with free community coaching courses in 2017-18 helping to raise our number of accredited coaches by more than 24 percent. Our umpiring numbers have remained consistent with 3,577 accredited umpires across Australia in 2017-18, but there continues to be opportunity.”
Other key statistics from the Census include the following:
– Multicultural participation rose by 4 percent to 268,596, making up 22 percent of all participants
– Indigenous participation increased by 1 percent to 64,921 to make up 5.2 percent of all participants
– Participants with a disability remained constant at 25,846 making up 2.1 percent of all participants
– Accredited coaches increased by 24 percent to 34,380 and accredited umpires were constant at 3,577
“We are committed to being Australia’s number one participation sport, by providing the best learning and experiences, and these latest figures indicate we are striving for success in this area right across Australian Cricket,” said Mr Sutherland.
Latest
-
News
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australia ‘sandpapergate’ ball-tampering controversy erupts
The incident led to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft being banned from playing for Australia.